CATEGORY . www.vomgroups.com : Nikolai Khamara had gone into prison a thief and come out a Christian. After his release, he joined the underground church in Russia./ Sometime later, the pastor of Khamara’s church was arrested. The authorities tortured him, hoping he would betray the church, but he told them nothing. Then they arrested Nikolai Khamara. They brought him before the pastor and told him, “If you do not tell the secrets, we will torture Khamara in front of you.”/ The pastor could not endure someone suffering for him. But Khamara said to him, “Be faithful to Christ and do not betray him. I am happy to suffer for the name of Christ.” Then they gouged out Khamara’s eyes. / The pastor could not bear it. He cried to Khamara, “How can I look at this? You will remain blind!”/ Khamara replied, “When my eyes are taken away from me, I will see more beauty than I see with these eyes. I will see the Savior. You must remain faithful to Christ to the end.”/ When the interrogators told the pastor that they would cut out Khamara’s tongue, Khamara said, “Praise the Lord Jesus Christ. There, I have said the highest words that can be said. And if you wish, you can now cut out my tongue.” The former thief stole from the officers a chance to rob his faith. He died a martyr’s death. See ARTICLE